Systems and methods for connecting skylight components

ABSTRACT

Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to connectors for tubularskylights.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tubular skylights have been provided for illuminating theinteriors of buildings in an aesthetically pleasing and energy efficientway with natural sunlight. An example of a commercially successfulskylight is disclosed in the present assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos.5,099,622, and further examples of effective tubular skylights aredisclosed in the present assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,713 and inallowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/126,331, all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

[0003] In tubular skylights such as the those mentioned above, atransparent plastic dome is mounted on a roof of a building by means ofa metal flashing that is attached to the roof. Extending down from thedome is a metal tube that has a highly reflective inner surface. Thetube extends down to the ceiling of the interior room sought to beilluminated, where it terminates at a disk-shaped light diffuser mountedon the ceiling by means of one or more support rings that engage thelower end of the tube.

[0004] It will be appreciated that with the above general description oftubular skylights in mind, many components must be connected together.As but one example, the tube itself is ordinarily made from a flat sheetof metal that is bent into a cylindrical shape to form the tube, withthe opposite ends of the sheet of metal slightly overlapping each otherin the cylindrical configuration and being held in the cylindricalconfiguration by manually taping the length of the joint between theends of the bent sheet. As understood by the present invention, whileeffective, the above-mentioned manual means for forming the tube canresult in tubes having diameters that might exhibit deviations slightlyfrom design. Moreover, it is sometimes desirable that the tube slightlytaper, i.e., assume a slightly frusto-conical shape, and it is difficultto precisely configure a tube to have such a shape using the manualtaping method described above. Fortunately, the present inventionrecognizes that it is possible to easily and with a high degree ofrepeatability effect a precisely-configured skylight tube.

[0005] As another example, consider the connection between the plasticdome and metal flashing. A metal screw is advanced through an ABS washerthat is positioned in a hole in the dome, and the screw engages themetal flashing. As recognized herein, the washer can sometimesundesirably rotate in the hole of the dome, thereby rendering it lessthan optimally effective as a connection interface with the screw and,hence, the flashing to which the dome is mounted.

[0006] As yet other examples, connecting the diffuser and the varioussupport rings to the lower end of the tube and to the ceiling must beaccomplished in relatively confined areas, and accordingly can be acumbersome and time-consuming task. The present invention understandsthat such connections can be effected quickly and securely by the novelconnecting systems and methods disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A light transmitting member for a skylight includes a sheetdefining opposed axial edges. The sheet can be bent into a lighttransmitting configuration, wherein the axial edges are juxtaposed witheach other and a light transmitting channel is established by the sheet.First and second sets of axially spaced tab elements are formed alongrespective axial edges of the sheet. A first tab element in the firstset includes a tab while a second tab element in the second set definesa tab opening. As disclosed in detail below, the tab is movable betweenan engage configuration, wherein the tab can be received through the tabopening, and a lock configuration, wherein the tab cannot be removedfrom the tab opening to thereby hold the sheet in the light transmittingconfiguration. Indeed, at least upper and lower tab elements includerespective tabs and respective tab openings, and the tab of each tabelement in a pair is receivable through the tab opening of the other tabelement in the pair.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, each set of tab elements includes atleast two tab elements. The tab elements in the first set are juxtaposedwith respective tab elements in the second set when the member is in thelight transmitting configuration to establish plural tab element pairs.Each tab element is integral to the sheet, i.e., the sheet is cut toform the tabs, with the tabs being retained on the sheet by an uncutliving hinge.

[0009] Furthermore, the sheet is formed with at least two upper tabelements in each set of tab elements. The upper tab elements of one setare axially and radially spaced from each other to facilitateselectively establishing one of: a frusto-conical shape, and acylindrical shape, of the sheet in the light transmitting configuration.

[0010] In another aspect, a method for forming a skylight tube includesproviding a sheet defining first and second opposed edges, and formingplural tabs along at least the first edge and forming plural tabopenings along at least the second edge. The method further includesadvancing the tabs through respective tab openings with the sheet in alight transmitting configuration. Then, the tabs are bent to hold thesheet in the light transmitting configuration.

[0011] In yet another aspect, a skylight tube includes a sheet having areflective surface. Fasteners are formed integrally on the sheet. Thefasteners can be moved to hold the sheet in a light transmittingconfiguration, wherein the reflective surface is an inside surface.

[0012] In another aspect, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes ahollow body defining an outer surface. Plural ribs are formed on theouter surface and are configured for engaging a hole in a skylight domein an interference fit to impede rotation of the body in the hole.

[0013] In still another aspect, a lower skylight assembly includes askylight dress ring that has a vertical flange formed with at least oneclip hole. A skylight support ring has a vertical flange closely spacedfrom the vertical flange of the dress ring and terminating in ahorizontal flange defining a ratchet aperture. Per present principles, azip clip has an elongated body defining opposed first and secondelongated surfaces, and a clip protrudes from one of the surfaces and isreceived in the clip hole of the dress ring. Also, at least one of thesurfaces of the zip clip is formed with ratchet structure that engagesthe ratchet aperture of the support ring to thereby hold the dress ringonto the support ring.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, a zip tie has an elongated bodydefining first and second ends. A ratchet structure is formed on thebody. Moreover, a clip arm is attached to and extends perpendicularlyaway from the first end of the body. Still further, the clip arm definesa channel. The channel is configured to receive a threaded fastener inself-tapping threadable engagement.

[0015] The details of the present invention, both as to its structureand operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skylight tube sheet prior tofastening the sheet in the light transmitting configuration;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a skylight tube sheet in the lighttransmitting configuration, in an exploded relationship with a skylightdome and a diffuser plate;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the skylight dome fasteneradaptor, in exploded relationship with a skylight dome, fastener, andflashing, with portions of the dome and flashing cut away for clarity;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower end of askylight, showing a zip clip engaging the dress ring with the supportring, with the zip clip illustrated as being displaced into the supportring to better illustrate the ratchet opening;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present zip tie with drywall screw receiving channel, in operable engagement with a ceiling ringand dress ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a light transmitting memberis shown, generally designated 10, for transmitting light from aroof-mounted plastic transparent dome 12 to a ceiling-mounted diffuserplate 14. As disclosed in detail below, the member 10 can be formed in acylindrical configuration or in a slightly tapered, i.e.,frusto-conical, configuration to establish a skylight tube.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the member 10 includes a metal sheet 16 thatdefines opposed axial edges 18, 20. When the sheet 16 is bent in thelight transmitting configuration shown in FIG. 2, the axial edges 18, 20are closely juxtaposed with each other and indeed overlap each other. Inthe light transmitting configuration, the sheet 16 defines a lighttransmitting channel 21 that is bounded by an inside surface on which isdisposed a reflective coating 22, to render the inside surface highlyreflective.

[0023] In accordance with the present invention, to provide a means forholding the sheet 16 in the light transmitting configuration shown inFIG. 2, fasteners are formed on the sheet 16. More specifically, firstand second sets 24, 26 of tab elements, generally designated 28, areformed integrally in the sheet 16 along respective axial edges 18, 20,as best shown in FIG. 1. The tab elements 28 in a set accordingly areaxially spaced from each other. More specifically, each set 24, 26 oftab elements includes two upper elements 28 as shown, two lower elements28, and a single middle element 28, although other element patterns canbe established in accordance with present principles. In any case, ascan be appreciated in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tab elements 28 inthe first set 24 are juxtaposed with respective tab elements 28 in thesecond set 26 when the sheet 16 is in the light transmittingconfiguration, to establish plural tab element pairs for purposes to beshortly disclosed.

[0024] In the second set 26 of tab elements, the elements 28 arecolinear with each other as shown in FIG. 1. Also, in the second set 26,the two upper and two lower tab elements 28 each include a respectivetab 30 formed by a cut in the sheet 16 around three sides of the tab 30,with a fourth side of the tab 30 being uncut and consequentlyestablishing a living hinge 32 about which the tab 30 can be pivoted.The free end 34 of each tab 30, i.e., the end opposite the respectiveliving hinge 32, can be rounded as shown for safety. When the tab 30 ispivoted away from the sheet 16, a tab opening 36 is established as shownbest in FIG. 1. If desired, the tab of the middle tab element 28M in thesecond set 26 can be removed, such that the middle element 28M consistsof a permanent aperture as shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] The tab elements 28 in the first set 24 are essentially identicalin construction and operation to the tab elements 28 in the second set26 shown in FIG. 1 and described above, with the following exceptions.The top-most element 28T, middle element 28N, and bottom-most element28B are axially aligned with each other as shown. On the other hand, asecond top element 28TS that is closely spaced from the top-most element28T and second bottom element 28BS that is closely spaced from thebottom-most element 28B are axially aligned with other and are slightlyaxially and radially spaced from the top-most and bottom-most elements28T, 28B, respectively. The middle element 28N of the first set 24 ofelements includes both a tab and a tab opening as shown.

[0026] With the above disclosure in mind, it may now be appreciated thatthe tab 30 of the top-most element 28T in the first set 24 can be movedabout its respective living hinge 32 to an engage configuration, whereinthe tab 30 extends radially outwardly from the sheet 16 and the tab 30can be received through the tab opening 36 of the corresponding tabelement 28 in the opposite set 26. Also, the tab 30 can be moved to alock configuration, wherein the tab 30 is folded back away from theopening 36 in which it is received to overlap the sheet 16, such thatthe tab 30 cannot be easily removed from the tab opening 36 (withoutbending the tab) to thereby hold the sheet 16 in the light transmittingconfiguration. Likewise, the tab 30 of the middle element 28N in thefirst set 24 can be engaged with the middle element 28M of the secondset 26, and the bottom-most element 28B of the first set 24 can engagethe corresponding element in the second set 26 of tab elements. It is tobe understood that the tabs 30 in the second set 26 can be likewiseinterlocked with tab openings 36 in the first set 24 of tab elements. Inthe example above, the second top element 28TS and second bottom element28BS are not used, and a skylight tube is provided that has acylindrical configuration and a maximum diameter.

[0027] It is to be further appreciated that instead of using thetop-most and bottom-most elements 28T, 28B, the second top element 28TSand second bottom element 28BS can be used in conjunction with themiddle element 28N of the first set 24, thus providing a skylight tubewith a cylindrical configuration and a minimum diameter. Still further,a skylight tube can be provided that has a slightly frusto-conical shapeby using the top-most element 28T, middle element 28N, and second bottomelement 28BS of the first set 24. Or, a skylight tube can be providedthat has a slightly frusto-conical shape by using the second top element28TS, middle element 28N, and bottom-most element 28B of the first set24.

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a skylight dome fastener adaptor 40 that can bedisposed in a hole 42 of a plastic transparent skylight dome 44. The toplip portion of a metal flashing 46 can be juxtaposed with the dome 44.The flashing 46 is formed with a hole 48 that is juxtaposed with thehole 42 of the dome 44 and that indeed is coaxial therewith. With thisstructure, the threaded shank 50 of a fastener 52 is advanced throughthe adaptor 40 and can be threadably engaged with the hole 48 of theflashing 46 (or with a nut opposite the hole 48) to hold the dome 44against the flashing 46.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the adaptor 40 includes a hollow hard plasticrigid body 54 that defines an outer surface 56, and plural, preferablythree, ribs 58 are formed on the outer surface 56. The ribs 58 engagethe hole 42 in the skylight dome 44 in an interference fit to impederotation of the body 54 in the hole 42 when torque is applied to thefastener 52.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment shown, each rib 58 includes anaxially aligned outer edge 60 and opposed ramped sides 62, 64 thatextend from the edge 60 to the outer surface 56 of the body 54. Thus,the ribs 58 have triangular cross-sections. As intended by the presentinvention, the ribs 58 are formed integrally with the body 54.

[0031] In one preferred embodiment, the body 54 is formed with opposedchamfered ends 66, 68 as shown. If desired, each rib 54 can includerespective rib extensions 70, 72 that are formed on respective ends 66,68 of the body 54.

[0032] Now referring to FIG. 4, a lower portion of a skylight assemblyis shown, generally designated 80. The assembly 80 includes aring-shaped plastic skylight dress ring 82 that supports a disk-shapeddiffuser plate 84. In the preferred embodiment shown, the dress ring 82is formed with a ring-shaped vertical flange 86 that in turn is formedwith one or more clip holes 88. Moreover, a metal or plastic ring-shapedskylight support ring 90 has a vertical flange 92 that is closely spacedfrom and parallel to the vertical flange 86 of the dress ring 82. Asshown in FIG. 4, the vertical flange 92 of the support ring 90terminates at its upper edge in a ring-shaped horizontal flange 94 thatdefines at least one ratchet aperture 96 therethrough. A ratchet tooth97 extends into the ratchet aperture 96. If desired, a resilientring-shaped rubber or plastic seal 98 can be disposed between thevertical flange 86 of the dress ring 82 and a lower metal skylight tubesegment 100.

[0033] In accordance with present principles, a flexible plastic zipclip 102 holds the dress ring 82 and support ring 90 together. Tofacilitate this, the zip clip 102 has an elongated body as shown thatdefines opposed inner and outer elongated surfaces 104, 106. A smallparallelepiped-shaped clip 108 protrudes from the inner surface 104, andthe clip 108 is closely received in the clip hole 88 of the dress ring82. Furthermore, the outer surface 106 of the zip clip 102 is formedwith zip tie-like ratchet structure 110 that is configured to engage theratchet tooth 97 of the support ring 90 and thereby hold the dress ring82 onto the support ring 90. Both the clip 108 and ratchet structure 110are made integrally with the body of the zip clip 102.

[0034] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dress ring 82 isformed with a ramp 110 that terminates in an abutment 112. As shown inFIG. 4, the lower end of the zip clip 102 is sandwiched between theabutment 112 and the vertical flange 86 of the dress ring 82, to supportthe zip clip 102. If desired, a small piece of felt 114 can be gluedinto the ratchet aperture 96, with the zip clip 102 being biased againstthe felt 114 as indicated by the arrow 116 in FIG. 4.

[0035]FIG. 5 shows a flexible plastic zip tie 120 that includes anelongated body defining first and second ends 122, 124. A zip tie-likeratchet structure 125 is integrally formed on the zip tie 120 as shown.Furthermore, a rigid clip arm 126 is formed integrally with and extendsperpendicularly away from the end 124 of the tie. In accordance withpresent principles, the clip arm 126 defines a channel 128 generallyparallel to the body of the zip tie 120 and thus perpendicular to theclip arm 126. It is to be appreciated in reference to FIG. 5 that thechannel 128 receives a threaded fastener 130, such as a dry wall screw,with the fastener 130 self-tapping in the channel 128 as it is engagedtherewith.

[0036] With this structure, the zip tie 120 can be used to interconnectskylight assembly components such as a ceiling ring 132 and dress ring134 holding a diffuser plate 136 with a portion of dry wall. Morespecifically, the zip tie 120 ratchetably engages the ceiling ring 132and dress ring 134 in respective ratchet slots 138, 140, and then astructure such as a beam or ceiling or wall can be clamped between thearm 126 and ceiling ring 132. Moreover, the fastener 130 can bemanipulated to engage further wall or ceiling structure above the ziptie 120. Completing the description of FIG. 5, the ceiling ring 132engages a lower portion 142 of a skylight tube, and a resilient sealring 144 can be sandwiched between the dress ring 134 and lower portion142.

[0037] While the particular SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONNECTING SKYLIGHTCOMPONENTS as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable ofattaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to beunderstood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and is thus representative of the subject matter which isbroadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of thepresent invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may becomeobvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presentinvention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than theappended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, butrather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to theelements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known orlater come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for adevice or method to address each and every problem sought to be solvedby the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the presentclaims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in thepresent disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardlessof whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recitedin the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element isexpressly recited using the phrase “means for”.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light transmitting member for a skylight,comprising: a sheet defining opposed axial edges, the sheet beingconfigurable in a light transmitting configuration, wherein the axialedges are juxtaposed with each other and a light transmitting channel isestablished by the sheet; and at least first and second sets of axiallyspaced tab elements formed along respective axial edges of the sheet, atleast a first tab element in the first set including a tab, at least asecond tab element in the second set defining a tab opening, the tabbeing movable between an engage configuration, wherein the tab can bereceived through the tab opening, and a lock configuration, wherein thetab cannot be removed from the tab opening to thereby hold the sheet inthe light transmitting configuration.
 2. The light transmitting memberof claim 1 , wherein each set of tab elements includes at least two tabelements, the tab elements in the first set being juxtaposed withrespective tab elements in the second set when the member is in thelight transmitting configuration to establish plural tab element pairs,each tab element being integral to the sheet.
 3. The light transmittingmember of claim 2 , wherein at least upper and lower tab elementsinclude respective tabs and respective tab openings, the tab of each tabelement in a pair being receivable through the tab opening of the othertab element in the pair.
 4. The light transmitting member of claim 3 ,wherein the sheet defines an axial dimension and a radial dimension whenin the light transmitting configuration, and wherein the sheet is formedwith at least two upper tab elements in each set of tab elements, theupper tab elements of at least one set being axially and radially spacedfrom each other to facilitate selectively establishing one of: afrusto-conical shape, and a cylindrical shape, of the sheet in the lighttransmitting configuration.
 5. The light transmitting member of claim 4, wherein the sheet defines an inside surface when in the lighttransmitting configuration, and the member further includes a reflectivefilm on the inside surface.
 6. The light transmitting member of claim 5, wherein the sheet defines an upper end and a lower end, and the memberfurther includes a skylight dome positioned over the upper end and alight diffuser positioned under the lower end.
 7. The light transmittingmember of claim 1 , wherein the tab is integral to the sheet such thatthe tab is movable about a living hinge.
 8. A method for forming askylight tube, comprising the acts of: providing a sheet defining firstand second opposed edges; forming plural tabs along at least the firstedge and forming plural tab openings along at least the second edge;advancing the tabs through respective tab openings with the sheet in alight transmitting configuration; and bending the tabs to hold the sheetin the light transmitting configuration.
 9. The method of claim 8 ,wherein the advancing act further includes; selectively establishing oneof: a frusto-conical shape, and a cylindrical shape, of the sheet in thelight transmitting configuration.
 10. A skylight tube, comprising: asheet having a reflective surface; and fasteners formed integrally onthe sheet and movable to hold the sheet in a light transmittingconfiguration, wherein the reflective surface is an inside surface. 11.The tube of claim 10 , wherein the sheet defines opposed axial edgesthat are juxtaposed with each other when the sheet is in the lighttransmitting configuration, and the fasteners include: at least firstand second sets of axially spaced tab elements formed along respectiveaxial edges of the sheet, at least a first tab element in the first setincluding a tab, at least a second tab element in the second setdefining a tab opening, the tab being movable about a living hingebetween an engage configuration, wherein the tab can be received throughthe tab opening, and a lock configuration, wherein the tab cannot beremoved from the tab opening to thereby hold the sheet in the lighttransmitting configuration.
 12. The tube of claim 11 , wherein each setof tab elements includes at least two tab elements, the tab elements inthe first set being juxtaposed with respective tab elements in thesecond set When the member is in the light transmitting configuration toestablish plural tab element pairs, each tab element being integral tothe sheet.
 13. The tube of claim 12 , wherein at least upper and lowertab elements include respective tabs and respective tab openings, thetab of each tab element in a pair being receivable through the tabopening of the other tab element in the pair.
 14. The tube of claim 13 ,wherein the sheet defines an axial dimension and a radial dimension whenin the light transmitting configuration, and wherein the sheet is formedwith at least two upper tab elements in each set of tab elements, theupper tab elements of at least one set being axially and radially spacedfrom each other to facilitate selectively establishing one of: afrusto-conical shape, and a cylindrical shape, of the sheet in the lighttransmitting configuration.
 15. A skylight dome fastener adaptor,comprising: a hollow body defining an outer surface; and plural ribsformed on the outer surface and configured for engaging a hole in askylight dome in an interference fit to impede rotation of the body inthe hole.
 16. The adaptor of claim 15 , wherein the body defines anaxial dimension and each rib includes an axially aligned outer edge, theribs being formed integrally with the body.
 17. The adaptor of claim 16, wherein the adaptor includes at least three ribs.
 18. The adaptor ofclaim 16 , wherein the body is formed with opposed chamfered ends. 19.The adaptor of claim 18 , wherein each rib includes a respective ribextension formed on each end of the body.
 20. The adaptor of claim 15 ,further comprising: a plastic skylight dome having at least one hole forreceiving the body therein; a metal flashing having at least one holejuxtaposed with the hole of the dome; and at least one fastener disposedin the hollow body and engaged with the hole of the flashing.
 21. Alower skylight assembly, comprising: a skylight dress ring having avertical flange formed with at least one clip hole; a skylight supportring having a vertical flange closely spaced from the vertical flange ofthe dress ring and terminating in a horizontal flange defining a ratchetaperture; and a zip clip having an elongated body defining opposed firstand second elongated surfaces, a clip protruding from one of thesurfaces and received in the clip hole of the dress ring, at least oneof the surfaces being formed with ratchet structure configured to engagethe ratchet aperture of the support ring and thereby hold the dress ringonto the support ring.
 22. The assembly of claim 21 , wherein the dressring is formed with an abutment, the zip clip defining a lower endsandwiched between the abutment and the vertical flange of the dressring.
 23. The assembly of claim 22 , further comprising a piece of feltdisposed in the ratchet aperture.
 24. A zip clip for holding a skylightdress ring onto a skylight support ring, comprising: an elongated bodydefining an elongated outer surface and an opposed elongated innersurface; a ratchet structure formed on at least a segment of the outersurface; and a clip formed on the inner surface and protruding awaytherefrom.
 25. The zip clip of claim 24 , further comprising: a skylightdress ring having a vertical flange formed with at least one clip holeand an abutment opposite the vertical flange; and a skylight supportring having a vertical flange closely spaced from the vertical flange ofthe dress ring and terminating in a horizontal flange defining a ratchetaperture, wherein the clip of the zip clip is received in the clip holeof the dress ring and the zip clip is sandwiched between the verticalflange of the dress ring and the abutment, the ratchet structure of thezip clip engaging the ratchet aperture of the support ring to hold thedress ring onto the support ring.
 26. A zip tie, comprising: anelongated body defining first and second ends, a ratchet structure beingformed on the body; and a clip arm attached to and extendingperpendicularly away from the first end of the body, the clip armdefining a channel configured to receive a threaded fastener inself-tapping threadable engagement.
 27. The zip tie of claim 26 ,comprising the fastener.